Car coupler



July 31, 195i w. J. METZGER 9 3 CAR COUPLER Filed May 29, 1948 Y I s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

William Ifiazyer CAR COUPLER s sheets-Shea 2 Filed May 29, 1948 w. J; METZGER CAR COUPLER July 31, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 29. 1948 INVENTOR. Wakm KHz/239?,

. ATZflRNEY July 31, 1951 w. J. MELTZGER CAR COUPLER Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 29, 1948 INVENTOR. #e'Z/Zam [fietzyzr ATTORWEY July 31, 1951 'w. J. METZGER 2,562,203

v CAR COUPLER Filed May 29, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l N V EN TOR. IVE/[fem [/Vnzyrr MAMM- July 31, 1951 w. J. METZGER CAR COUPLER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 29, 1948 INVENTOR.

W/[z'arn J Helzyzr QZM J p Q ATTORNEY Patented July 31, i951 CAR; COUPLER William J. Metzger, East Cleveland, Ohio, as-

signor to National Malleable and Steel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of,

Ohio

Application May 29,1948, Serial No. 30,056

This invention relates to car couplers for railway cars. 1-

The main object of my invention is to provide means on a car coupler for increasing the horizontal gatheringrange of the couplers and for supporting a couplerin the event it is accidentally pulledoutof the end of a car and thereby preventing it from dropping onto the track.

Another object is to provide means in the form of a shelf on a car coupler positioned below the knuckle thereof for cooperation with the shelf of a mating coupler to increase the horizontal gathering range of the couplers; Another objectris to provide preliminary aligning means for; car couplers.

- Afurther object is to provide a forwardly facing surface on a car coupler for cooperation with a similar surface on a mating coupler for aligning the couplers to enable coupling thereof even though the couplers are displaced relative to one another in a vertical direction a substantial amount.

-A still further object is toprovide a coupler having a forwardly facing coupler aligning sur face positioned below the-knuckle of the coupler and a coupler supporting portion adjacent the aligning surface.

Another object is to. provide a novel shelf on a car coupler for underlying the knuckle and body of a mating coupler and adaptedto support the latter coupler in the event it is accidentally disassociated from itsdr'aft rigging.

*Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description of? the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig; l is a plan'view of a coupler embodying my invention, coupled with a similar coupler (shown in dot-dash) and being shown in buffed position. Fig.-2- is a front view of the coupler shown in Fig. '1. .Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the coupler shown in Fig. lsupporting another coupler coupled therewith and corresponding to the condition wherein the latter has been pulled away from its associated draft rigging.

Fig. 4 illustrates the manner in which any invention serves to align two couplers from their angled position on one side of the centerline of the car, the knuckle of one coupler being open and the other closed. 7

Fig- 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the couplersinangled position on the side of the centerline opposite from that shown in Fig, 4, the same knuckle being open. 4 y

14 Claims. (Cl. 213153) Fig. 6 shows the couplers of Fig. 4 aligned to the position where the coupler knuckles havejust comeintocontact. v i

Fig. 7 shows the coupler of Fig. 5 aligned to the position where thegatheringwingof one coupler has just come into contact with: the complementary socket of the mating coupler.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a standard E coupler towhich the invention has been applied. Fig. 9 is a front view ofthe coupler shown in Fig.8. L

Fig. 10 illustrates the coupler shown. in Fig. 8 forming the sole support for'a similar coupler coupled therewith, and corresponding to the con-'- dition wherein-the "latter has been=pulled away from its associateddraft rigging; v Fig. 11 is an elevational view of a modified form ofmyinvention.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a further modification ofmy invention. I Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings there is shown a car coupler havinga head l0, guard arm 12, and pivoted knuckle I4. The coupler, which is of the side operating type, is similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 2,340,818, and has an opening 16 in'the-sidezof the coupler for a rotor lever-(not shown) for op?- eration of the coupler. aThecoupler -is provided with gathering Wings 18 and complementary sockets l9 the featuresofwhich are described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 773,127, filed September '10, 1947. The coupler will intercouple'with all standard couplers now in service except those having in terengaging guiding wings such as are provided on the A. A. R. Tightlock coupler. The invention as applied to the present coupler comprises 'a shelf?!) which is positioned on the underside of the coupler and extends forward.- ly beyond front face 22 of knuckle l4 when the latter is in closed position. 'Shelf '20 comprises a horizontal supporting portion 24 and asloping portion 26 extending forwardly and downwardly from portion 24. Portion '24 extends rearwardly from a point beneath the coupler knuckle to the front face of the coupler and extends laterally inwardly nearly to the centerline of the coupler. The shelf is spaced downwardly from the underside of the coupler to avoid any interference with the coupling of two couplers where one of them may be positioned considerably lower than the other. Also, sloping portion 26 affords a limited amount of vertical gathering action. when one of the couplers islowe r than the other by an amount greater than that within which proper coupling can be effected.

Shelf is formed with a depending wall 28 which is cylindrically curved at its forward portion, as at 30, and provides a bufiing surface positioned a substantial distance forwardly of buffing face 22 of the knuckle when the latteris in closed position. It will be observed that surface is of substantial vertical extent so that these surfaces upon engagement are effective to guide the mating couplers into position for coupling whether the couplers are located at the same height or displaced vertically relative to one another. Wall 28 is formed on one side of the shelf with a straight longitudinal portion as at 32 which extends rearwardly to the end of the shelf. On the other side of the shelf wall 28 is. formed with a straight outwardly and rearwardly extending portion 34 which merges with a rearwardly extending portion 36. Wall 28 in addition to serving as a bufling and guiding surface as will-be hereinafter described, acts as a reinforcement for the shelf. The shelf is joined to the coupler by means of cylindrical lug 38 and an upstanding flange and maybecast'integral with the coupleror'welded thereto.

In Fig. 1 is seen the relationship of shelves 20 Whenthe couplersare coupled and subjected to a force in buff. This view also clearly shows the manner in which theshel'fof each coupler underlies the knuckle as well as the head of the opposingscoup'ler.

In'Fig. 3 is' illustrated themanner in which the shelf-serves to support a coupler :which has been pulled out .of its associated draft rigging and thereby prevent its dropping onto the roadbed or track. It will be noted thatthe coupler shown on the right, which for purposes of illustration'is an A. A. R..*Standard E coupler without :a shelf applied thereto, is supported by shelf 20 :at .42 and by the engagement between thezknucklesiof the two couplers at '44 and between :the knuckle of the-35601113181 and the front :face of the support- .ing coupler, at 46. The pulled :out :coupler .is thus securely supported by the :shelf "in conjunction with the interengagement between 'the knuckles. It wilf be understood that where'each "of twozcoupied couplersiis provided withashelf then whichever of the :couplers :is pulled .out willbe supported bytthe otherin' the sametmannerras shown Fig.3. Also, the shelf helps to prevent telescoping of cars during derailments ioriwrecks' to the extent that the shelf, within the limits .of :its strength, will resist relative vertical displacement "between the couplers as would cause arseparationthereof. In FigsA to-'7 is illustrated the manner in which the shelves cooperate toeffect .initial or preliminary-gathering of couplers prior :to ccoupling. In these-views the couplers are similar in type to those .shownin my application Serial No. 773,127. The couplers in Figs. 4 and f5 are shown in angled positions of such a degree that the wings l8 and sockets 19 are ineffective to gather the couplers. As may be seen in Figs. 4.and5-the intial engagemerit .of the couplers .as they approach for cou- .p ileoccurs between the shelves along the inner sides of curved surfaces 30 thereof. Thereafter asthe couplers move together sliding occurs along surfaces 30 and'the couplers are thereby guided to positions in which coupling can be effected. More specifically the contact between the shelves servesto gather the couplers-without prematureclosing the open knuckle, the amount necessaryfo'r the couplers to be'coupled.

Considering particularly the positions of the couplers in Fig. 4 it is to be noted that the couplers are displaced beyond the gathering range of the coupler contours and therefore, if they were not provided with the shelves, coupling could not be effected because the open knuckle would close prematurely, causing thecouplers to jackknife. As the couplers move together from the position shown in Fig. 4 the shelves serve to guide the couplers so that engagement will eventually occur between the coupler knuckles as shown in Fig. 6, in which successful coupling is possible. From the latter position further gathering of the couplers to coupled'position will take place in the usual manner as with couplers not provided with my shelf. Thus the shelves serve to guide the displaced couplers from a position in which normal coupling would be impossible to a position wherein the couplers are within the gathering range of the coupler contours so that normal coupling from the latter position :is-possible. As the couplers move together from the posi-' tionshown in Fig. 5 sliding occursalong the curved portions 30 of the shelves and the couplersare gathered thereby until they reachwhe :position shown in Fig. '7, with one :of wings '18 engaging the complementary socket IQ of the opposing-com pler and the buffing face of the closed'knuckleengaging the tail of the opposing knucklei From this position the couplers are-swung into align' ment through the pivoting action occurring -between the wing and socket as described :in my aforementioned application, Serial'No.773,'l27.

Considering the angled positions-of the couplers in Figs. 4 and 5, it is to be noted'thatthe degree of displacement of the couplers from the longitudinal centerline of their respective cars is "such that the couplers could not be-coupled, without the preliminary gathering-provided by the shelves; Thus theshelves serve to gather and align the couplers from a position in' which normal con pling is impossible to a position in which they ca'n be successfully coupled. This constitutes an important feature of the invention. I I It is contemplated'tha't bufling-surface Mofthe shelf in addition 'to'being curved in a horizontal plane may also be curved in a vertical plane as shown at 30a in'Fig.'Il. This will permita gre'ater area of contact between thecouplers when one or both of the mating couplers is in a 'droo'p'ed position. I Referring to Figs. 8, 9=andl10, there isshown an A. A. R. Standard 'E coupler to which my improved shelf hasbeen applied. Thecouplerfcomprises a guard :arm 60, and a pivoted knuckle 62. The shelf 64 is similar to the shelf shown inFi-gs. '1, 2 and 3, excepttthatthe horizontally. disposed rearward portion 66 of the shelf :is elevated with respect to horizontal forward portion '58. It :will be observed that elevated portion '56 is locatedso as to underlie the knuckle of a mating coupler. In the event the mating coupler accidentally pulled out and angles about "the-knuckles and swings downwards, its body portion-will engage sloping portion 10 of theshel f in 'addition to the binding of the knuckles at" and 14; Thismanner of supporting'the coupler is shownin-Figfilfl. However, in the event the pulled out coupler drops vertically downwardlyits k-nuckle zwil'lrest on portion 66 of the shelf and simultaneously the coupler body will rest on sloping-portion '19 of'thc shelf. Similarlyin the event'of a deraihnent, the coupler of the derailed car will-drop vertically downwardly until its knuckle-rests on "elevated portion 66, in which casea smaller bendingmo Figs. 1 and}; therebyproviding increased derailment protection to cars having couplers of the non-interlocking type coupled with this coupler.

It will be apparent that the shelf when appliedtothe E coupler will increase the gathering rangeof the coupler since it will function in the same manner as hereinbefore described. The initial' contact between two approaching couplers will occur between the buffing surfaces of the shelves andthe couplers will be guided intopositio'zi from which they can be coupled in normal manner.

.In Fig. 12 a modified. form of contour for the buffing surface of the shelf is shown at 80. This surface includes a fiatforwardly and outwardly extending surface 8 I which is tangential to curved portion-l5. This contour will further increase the gathering range of the coupler by'causing the shelf of an'opposing coupler to slide-along the curved portion to the position from which coupling' can be effected. It will beunderstood that the application of 'my invention is not limited to the types of couplers shown, which were used for-purposes of illustration only, and the shelf may be applied to' all existing knuckle type couplers now in service to increase the gathering range thereof as well as to support a pulled out coupler.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What I claim is:

l. A car coupler adapted for mating engagement with another similar coupler, said coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, said head having a forwardly extending shelf portion below said knuckle, said shelf being disposed within the lateral extremities of said knuckle and extending forwardly beyond said knuckle when the latter is in closed position, said shelf having a convexly curved buffing surface adapted for engagement with the bufling surface of the shelf of the other coupler to align the couplers during the coupling operation.

2. In a car coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, aligning means on said head for guiding two couplers into position for coupling comprising a shelf below said knuckle extending forwardly beyond said knuckle when the latter is in closed position, said shelf having a convexly curved buffing surface positioned on the knuckle side of the longitudinal centerline of the coupler.

3. In a car coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, aligning means on said head for guiding two couplers into position for coupling comprising a forwardly extending portion below said knuckle, said portion having a curved front surface adjacent the longitudinal centerline of the coupler and located forwardly of the bufling face of said knuckle when'th'e latter is in closed position.

'4. In a car coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, aligning means on said head for engaging similar means on another coupler to guide the couplers into position for coupling, said means comprising a member disposed beneath said knuckle within the lateral extremities thereof having a front buffing surface positioned'forwarde.

1y of the buffing face of said knuckle when the latter is in closed position, said surface being constructed and arranged to engage a corresponding surface of the other coupler prior to engagement between said knuckles of the couplers during the coupling operation.

5. In a car coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, aligning means on said head for engaging similar means on another coupler to guide the couplers into position for coupling, said means comprising a projection on the underside of said head extending forwardly of said knuckle when the latter is in closed position, said projection having a bufling surface positioned on the knuckle side of the coupler and adapted to engage a corresponding buffing surface on the other coupler prior to engagement between said knuckles of the couplers during the coupling operation.

6. In a car coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, aligning means on said head for engaging similar means on another coupler to guide the couplers into position for coupling, said means comprising-a projection on the underside of the coupler positioned on the knuckle side of the longitudinal centerline of the coupler,- said projection having a buffing surface positionedforwardly 'of the bufiing face of said knuckle when the latter is in closed position.

7. In a car coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, a forwardly projecting shelf on said head for underlying portions of the knuckle and head of a similar coupler when two of such couplers are coupled together, said shelf being adapted to serve as a partial support for the other coupler in the event the latter is pulled away from its car, said shelf having a convexly curved bufiingsurface located adjacent the longitudinal centerline of the coupler and being adapted for engagement with a corresponding surface of the other coupler to align the couplers as they are moved together for coupling.

knuckle, a shelf on said head adapted to underlie portions of the knuckle and head of another similar mating coupler coupled therewith, said shelf being adapted to serve as a partial support for one of said couplers in the event a coupler is pulled away from its car, said shelf being positioned on the knuckle side of the longitudinal centerline of the coupler and having a front buffing face adapted to engage the buffing face on the shelf 0f the mating coupler to align the couplers as they are moved together for coupling.

9. A car coupler adapted for mating engagement with another similar coupler, said coupler having a head and a pivoted knuckle, a forwardly xtending shelf portion on said head below said knuckle, said shelf being disposed on the knuckle side of the longitudinal centerline of the coupler and extending forwardly beyond said knuckle when the latter is in closed position, said shelf having a convexly curved buffing surface adapted for engagement with the buffing surface of said shelf of the other coupler to align the couplers during the coupling operation, said shelf having a forwardly and downwardly sloping upper surface-for cooperating withitheknuckle of them posing coupler to raise the latter when it isima dropped position as the couplers approach for coupling.

ii). In :a car coupler having ahead and 1a .pivptedknuckle, ashelf on said head adapted to underlie portions of the knuckle and head of another similar mating coupler coupled therewith, said shelf vbeing adapted to serve as a partial support for one of said couplers in the event a coupler :is pulled away from its car,-said shelf being positioned on :the knuckle side of the longitudinal centerline of the coupler and comprissing a pair :of verticallyspaced horizontal supporting portions.

.11. .In a car coupler having a head and a pivoted :knuckla a shelf on said head below the knuckle and being adapted to engage theshelf of allaterally displaced mating coupler, as the couplers approach for coupling, to guide the couplers :intoposition from which the couplers can be con-- .pled,;said shelf having a buffing surface comprisdug a forwardly and outwardly extending surface positioned on the :knuckle'side of'thelongitudinal ccnterline of the couplerand located forwardly of the coupler-knuckle when the latter in-closed position.

12. A guiding and supporting shelf for av car coupler :of the knuckle type, said shelf-including acurved vertical guide surface facing forwardly :of the coupler and laterally toward the longitudi- :naj1 centerline thereof, said shelf being adapted 'forengagementwith asimilar shelf on an opposing iccupler for-aligning the couplers, said shelf having asubstantiallyhorizontal surface adapted 8 to support portions .of the oknucklezand head-lot the opposing coupler in the eyentthelatter iszace cidently displaced downwardly.

I3. Aligning means f ora coupler of 1 the. knuckle typecomprising an extensionprojecting forwardly from the head of the couplerandlocated-heneath the knuckle thereof, said means including a. curved vertical guidesurface facing'forwardlypf the coupler and laterally toward the longitudinal centerline thereof and adapted to-engage the corresponding verticalface of similar means on-an opposing coupler to align the couplers duringv the coupling thereof.

14. A supporting shelf .for .acar coupler .of .,the knuckle type comprising a projection extending forwardly from the head of the coupler and dis-'- posed on the knuckle sideof the longitudinalcem terline of the coupler, said projection. being adapted to underlie portions of the knuckle and head of anopposing coupler for supporting tthe latter in the event the same is accidentally dis! placed downwardly.

WILLIAM J. METZGER REFERENCES CITED The following references :are ofrrecord file of this patent:

UNITED STATES Christianson Sept. 10, 194i) 

